scholarly journals CFD analysis and flow model reduction for surfactant production in helix reactor

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
N.M. Nikacevic ◽  
L. Thielen ◽  
A. Twerda ◽  
Den Van

Flow pattern analysis in a spiral Helix reactor is conducted, for the application in the commercial surfactant production. Step change response curves (SCR) were obtained from numerical tracer experiments by three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Non-reactive flow is simulated, though viscosity is treated as variable in the direction of flow, as it increases during the reaction. The design and operating parameters (reactor diameter, number of coils and inlet velocity) are varied in CFD simulations, in order to examine the effects on the flow pattern. Given that 3D simulations are not practical for fast computations needed for optimization, scale-up and control, CFD flow model is reduced to one-dimensional axial dispersion (AD) model with spatially variable dispersion coefficient. Dimensionless dispersion coefficient (Pe) is estimated under different conditions and results are analyzed. Finally, correlation which relates Pe number with Reynolds number and number of coils from the reactor entrance is proposed for the particular reactor application and conditions.

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Sun Lanyi ◽  
Wang Jian ◽  
Bai Fei ◽  
Bo Shoushi

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of internal loop reactor for heavy oil slurry bed hydroprocessing have been done in commercial code Fluent 6.3 using Euler two-phase flow model and standard k-ε turbulence model. The effects of the physical properties on the flow field in the reactor are investigated. The results show that the gas density has little effect but the liquid viscosity has a significant effect on flow field and gas hold-up. An analysis of the effect of reactor structures and scale-up on the flow field and gas hold-up are also provided, and optimal structure is obtained through simulations. The conclusions obtained in this paper have great significance for the slurry bed hydrocracking process.


Author(s):  
Deify Law ◽  
Francine Battaglia ◽  
Theodore J. Heindel

The external loop airlift reactor (ELALR) is a modified bubble column reactor that is composed of two vertical columns that are connected with two horizontal connectors. Airlift reactors are utilized in fermentation processes and are preferred over traditional bubble column reactors because they can operate over a wider range of conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be used to enhance our understanding of the hydrodynamics within these reactors. In the present work, the gas-liquid flow dynamics in an external loop airlift reactor are simulated using CFDLib with an Eulerian-Eulerian ensemble-averaging method in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) coordinate systems. In addition, models are employed for the interphase momentum transfer drag coefficient and turbulence behavior. The CFD simulations for temporal and spatial averaged gas holdup are compared to the experimental measurements of Jones and Heindel [1] who used a 10.2 cm diameter ELALR over a range of superficial gas velocities from 0.5 to 20 cm/s. The effect of specifying a mean bubble diameter size for the CFD modeling is examined. The objectives are to validate 2D and 3D CFD simulations with experimental data in order to predict the hydrodynamics in an airlift reactor for future studies on scale-up and design.


1999 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. S86-S86
Author(s):  
R DESIMONE ◽  
G GLOMBITZA ◽  
C VAHL ◽  
H MEINZER ◽  
S HAGL

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Chaniecki ◽  
Krzysztof Grudzień ◽  
Tomasz Jaworski ◽  
Grzegorz Rybak ◽  
Andrzej Romanowski ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper presents results of the scale-up silo flow investigation in based on accelerometer signal analysis and Wi-Fi transmission, performed in distributed laboratory environment. Prepared, by the authors, a set of 8 accelerometers allows to measure a three-dimensional acceleration vector. The accelerometers were located outside silo, on its perimeter. The accelerometers signal changes allowed to analyze dynamic behavior of solid (vibrations/pulsations) at silo wall during discharging process. These dynamic effects are caused by stick-slip friction between the wall and the granular material. Information about the material pulsations and vibrations is crucial for monitoring the interaction between silo construction and particle during flow. Additionally such spatial position of accelerometers sensor allowed to collect information about nonsymmetrical flow inside silo.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Besnea ◽  
Alina Spanu ◽  
Iuliana Marlena Prodea ◽  
Gheorghita Tomescu ◽  
Iolanda Constanta Panait

The paper points out the advantages of rapid prototyping for improving the performances/constructive optimization of mixing devices used in process industries, here exemplified to propeller types ones. The multidisciplinary optimization of the propeller profile affords its design using parametric CAD methods. Starting from the mathematical curve equations proposed for the blade profile, it was determined its three-dimensional virtual model. The challenge has been focused on the variation of propeller pitch and external diameter. Three dimensional ranges were manufactured using the additive manufacturing process with Marker Boot 3D printer. The mixing performances were tested on the mixing equipment measuring the minimum rotational speed and the correspondent shaft torque for complete suspension achieved for each of the three models. The virtual and rapid prototyping method is newly proposed by the authors to obtain the basic data for scale up of the mixing systems, in the case of flexible production (of low quantities), in which both the nature and concentration of the constituents in the final product varies often. It is an efficient and low cost method for the rapid identification of the optimal mixing device configuration, which contributes to the costs reduction and to the growing of the output.


Author(s):  
Ahmed M Nagib Elmekawy ◽  
Hassan A Hassan Saeed ◽  
Sadek Z Kassab

Three-dimensional CFD simulations are carried out to study the increase of power generated from Savonius vertical axis wind turbines by modifying the blade shape and blade angel of twist. Twisting angle of the classical blade are varied and several proposed novel blade shapes are introduced to enhance the performance of the wind turbine. CFD simulations have been performed using sliding mesh technique of ANSYS software. Four turbulence models; realizable k -[Formula: see text], standard k - [Formula: see text], SST transition and SST k -[Formula: see text] are utilized in the simulations. The blade twisting angle has been modified for the proposed dimensions and wind speed. The introduced novel blade increased the power generated compared to the classical shapes. The two proposed novel blades achieved better power coefficients. One of the proposed models achieved an increase of 31% and the other one achieved 32.2% when compared to the classical rotor shape. The optimum twist angel for the two proposed models achieved 5.66% and 5.69% when compared with zero angle of twist.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 674
Author(s):  
Paul Caicedo ◽  
David Wood ◽  
Craig Johansen

Solar chimney power plants (SCPPs) collect air heated over a large area on the ground and exhaust it through a turbine or turbines located near the base of a tall chimney to produce renewable electricity. SCPP design in practice is likely to be specific to the site and of variable size, both of which require a purpose-built turbine. If SCPP turbines cannot be mass produced, unlike wind turbines, for example, they should be as cheap as possible to manufacture as their design changes. It is argued that a radial inflow turbine with blades made from metal sheets, or similar material, is likely to achieve this objective. This turbine type has not previously been considered for SCPPs. This article presents the design of a radial turbine to be placed hypothetically at the bottom of the Manzanares SCPP, the only large prototype to be built. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to assess the turbine’s performance when installed in the SCPP. Multiple reference frames with the renormalization group k-ε turbulence model, and a discrete ordinates non-gray radiation model were used in the CFD simulations. Three radial turbines were designed and simulated. The largest power output was 77.7 kW at a shaft speed of 15 rpm for a solar radiation of 850 W/m2 which exceeds by more than 40 kW the original axial turbine used in Manzanares. Further, the efficiency of this turbine matches the highest efficiency of competing turbine designs in the literature.


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